Verizon Calls on South Carolinians to Help End Abuse

GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Violence Policy Center's most recent report ranks South Carolina second in the U.S. for rate of women killed by men, with a rate nearly double the national average. This October, Verizon is working with partners throughout South Carolina to raise awareness and create new opportunities for the community to support the cause. The company has donated nearly $157,000 to South Carolina domestic violence prevention efforts year-to-date.

Through its HopeLine program, as well as through the Verizon Foundation, the wireless provider has supported domestic violence initiatives across South Carolina with funding, and in addition to cash grants, donated cell phones and wireless service to shelters that serve women who need a way to stay connected to loved ones when leaving abusive relationships. HopeLine, Verizon's cell phone recycling program, turns no-longer used wireless devices, batteries and chargers into support for domestic violence agencies. Phones donated in South Carolina directly benefit the state's domestic violence shelters on an on-going basis.

"This October, we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month amid one of the most widespread conversations about the issue I have ever witnessed," said Jerry Fountain, president for Verizon Wireless in the Carolinas and Tennessee. "Verizon has been focused on domestic violence prevention and awareness since 2001, and we're proud to support these incredible organizations who are making a difference in our communities. In this monumental year, we're introducing new ways any person can contribute to changing the culture."

To get involved, South Carolinians can donate no-longer used cell phones at any Verizon Wireless store. Verizon ensures personal information is erased from all donated devices before refurbishing or recycling them in an environmentally friendly way and putting the proceeds to work for domestic violence agencies.

Social media users can share a message of hope with a victim of domestic violence using the hashtag #VoicesHavePower. For each message shared, Verizon will earmark $3 for domestic violence prevention. Additionally, Verizon has partnered with manufacturers like Logitech, Otterbox and LG to create a line of purple, HopeLine-branded wireless accessories, the color designated for DVAM. For each sale of these items in October, Verizon will donate an additional $3 toward prevention efforts.

The following organizations benefitted from Verizon grants and/or donations of cell phones and wireless service this year:

Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse (CODA), Beaufort
The Children's Museum of the Upstate, Greenville
The Family Effect, Greenville
Florence Crittenton Program, Charleston
Georgetown Family Justice Center, Georgetown
Golden Strip Emergency Relief & Resource Agency, Greenville
Greenville Little Theatre, Greenville
Goodwill Industries, Greenville
Killingsworth, Inc., Columbia
Little Steps, Greenville
Marys House, Easley
My Sister's House, Charleston
New Foundations Home for Children, Anderson
Pee Dee Coalition, Florence
Safe Harbor, Greenville
Safe Passage, Rock Hill
Safe Homes Rape Crisis Coalition, Spartanburg
Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention and Prevention, Columbia
Sistercare, Columbia
The Women's Shelter, Columbia

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 104.6 million retail customers, including 98.6 million retail postpaid customers.  Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.  

About the Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company's innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, healthcare and energy management. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon's employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.8 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information about Verizon's philanthropic work, visit www.verizonfoundation.org ; or for regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/verizongiving).

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 101 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries. A Dow 30 company with nearly $116 billion in 2012 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 178,300.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

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SOURCE Verizon Wireless